Echo Look: Hands-Free Camera and Style Assistant.

April 26, 20172:15 pm

Introducing a new product in the line of Echo devices from Amazon. This is a camera that can take full length photos and videos, share them with social media, and get advice on what fashion items make you look your best. The camera has all of the features of a normal Echo product, so you can still ask Alexa anything. Not only can Alexa give you the news, play music, check your calendar, and run third party skills, but she can also control the camera through voice activation. Considering that the Amazon Echo is priced at $179.99, and the Echo Look is priced at $199.99, you might want to consider paying the extra $20 to get a voice activated camera as part of your Echo platform. Currently, the Echo Look can be obtained by invitation only.

From the Developer

• Introducing Echo Look—everything you love about Alexa, and now she can help you look your best
• Using just your voice, easily take full-length photos and short videos with a hands-free camera that includes built-in LED lighting, depth-sensing camera, and computer vision-based background blur
• See yourself from every angle with the companion app. Build a personal lookbook and share your photos.
• Get a second opinion on which outfit looks best with Style Check, a new service that combines machine learning algorithms with advice from fashion specialists
• Echo Look helps you discover new brands and styles inspired by your lookbook
• Ask Alexa to read the news and audiobooks, set alarms, get traffic and weather updates, control smart home devices, play music, and more
• Always getting smarter and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Starbucks, Fitbit, NPR, and more

About James Oates

James Oates officially joined the Cool Blind Tech podcast team in the summer of 2014. James is an advocate of accessible technology across all platforms, with an emphasis on Windows. As a former K-12 educator, James brings his passion for teaching to the CBT audience in an effort to help listeners realize their potential and explore new avenues of empowerment through technology. Blind since childhood, James currently lives in Florida.
You can follow him on Twitter, @BLIND_MATRIX

Greg, Leo and Cory welcome a new crew member, Dan Mathis to the show to discuss what’s new and up-coming with the world of Google and the latest from Google IO.

First up was the newest version of Android, Internally Code Named: Macadamia Nut Cookie, which is focusing on polish and quality

It was announced that Android M should be available for Q3 2015, September of this year.

The newest version of Android will initially be Launched on most of the flagship Devices: Nexus 5, 6, 9 and player, though the Nexus 7 likely will not be supported.

Not to be out-done, Google is launching Android Pay which is coming to any devices with NFC running KitKat or above.

Android pay will allow a user to just unlock and place the device on a compatible terminal. Additionally, Android M will allow Android Pay to work with third party apps.

Along with Google Pay, Fingerprint reader support will be globally be available in Android M.

As part of the shiny new polish, Android M introduces Doze, which is a state of deep sleep where the device senses whether it has been motionless for an extended period of time and manages it’s power consumption accordingly.

Android M devices will be introducing USB-C support. USB-C connectors work regardless of which way the cable is connected and support USB 3. Additionally, USB-C connectors support higher levels of power transfer.

Continuing the new shine, Android M overhauls permissions. Apps will request permissions on an as-needed basis and are individually controllable. If needed, the possibility exists to revoke particular permissions.

Audio is not to be left out as well, with volume granularity being enhanced with extended customizability.

Chrome has been improved with site-customized tabs and tighter integration in to the OS for apps to display web content.

Last but certainly not least, On Tap, will now be hanging out in your Google Now on your home button. This feature will be an Opt-in option for privacy reasons. While we can only speculate at the possibilities as it is Not available yet in Android M betas. What is it? A feature which will automatically attempt to find information based on your current activity and the context of the content you are viewing.

Project Brillo: A stripped down version of Android intended for Internet of Things devices such as your smart lightbulb, allowing cross-platform control and communication with these devices.

And finally, the Google Session: Improving your Android app’s Accessibility: Discussed methods which developers can use to improve their apps for accessible use and provides techniques to doing this to developers. Additionally, the President of NFB appeared at the discussion.